Colorado Rockies / MLB

New Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau healthy, confident

Justin Morneau knows he won't be the next Todd Helton, or the next Larry Walker for that matter.

But the Colorado Rockies' new first baseman says he's completely healthy and is confident he can provide pop to the lineup.

"This has been nice, because in the last four offseasons I've had either some kind of surgery or an injury I've been working through. This year I haven't had to deal with any of that," Morneau said Friday afternoon from his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. during a conference call with Denver media. "This offseason has been so much better, both physically and mentally, and it's been nice getting back into my regular training routine.

"I feel like I'm building up strength toward the season, as opposed to just trying to rehab to get ready for spring training."

Earlier Friday, Morneau, a free agent, officially signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract, with a mutual option for 2016. He said he hopes to wear No. 33, the same number worn by Walker, a fellow Canadian who won the National League MVP in 1997 while playing outfield for the Rockies.

The Rockies are confident Morneau will be productive, and viewed the nine home runs he hit in August for the Minnesota Twins (before being traded to the Pirates) as an indication that he still has some power.

"I think Justin can provide offense for us," manager Walt Weiss said. "I think he's got power and will use the gaps in Coors Field, a lot like (Michael) Cuddyer has. But more than that, I think he's the kind of player we like and we can use. He plays the game the right way. He's smart. I think he'll bring that leadership to the team for the younger guys, a lot like Cuddy does."

Morneau, 32, is an 11-year major-league veteran with a career .277 batting average and 221 home runs. He was a four-time American League all-star from 2007-2010 and AL MVP in 2006, batting .321 with 34 homers, 37 doubles and 130 RBIs. Those glory days are behind him, but he says Colorado gives him a fresh start.

"This is a new beginning and gives me a new chapter, so I'm very excited about that," he said.

The club is counting on Morneau to fill in the hole left at first base when Helton retired after 17 seasons.

Justin Morneau (Getty Images file)

"Like I said, Justin is a smart player and I think he brings a good glove and knowhow to our infield," Weiss said.

Helton won three Gold Gloves at first base, while Morneau has none. But he's a solid infielder, compiling a career fielding percentage of .996. Since the beginning of 2003, no other infielder with more than 1,000 games has committed fewer errors than Morneau (Helton has the second-fewest). His fielding percentage ranks second only to Helton's .997 over that same span.

Cuddyer and Morneau were teammates in Minnesota and remain close friends. Cuddyer was instrumental in Morneau's decision to come to Colorado.

"He's been texting me a lot and we had a very good conversation on the phone," Morneau said. "We had a 30-45 minute conversation and he told me great things about the organization. With someone I respect as much as him, as someone who plays the game the right way the way he does, you want to play with someone like him."

Morneau said he no longer suffers from the post-concussion symptoms that almost ended his career. On July 7, 2010, he hit his head against Aaron Hill's knee while sliding into second base. He suffered another concussion in August 2011 when he landed hard while diving for a ball in a game against Detroit. During spring training 2012, he said he would quit baseball if the symptoms — ravaging headache and lack of focus — returned.

"For the last couple years, it hasn't been a problem, and that's been nice," he said.

Morneau said that talking to Cuddyer, and Walker, convinced him that Colorado would be a good fit.

"So the Rockies were at the top of my list this winter," he said. "I knew there was interest on both sides, and with them being aggressive from the beginning, and them making me feel like they wanted me, that made my decision."

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